... For we were so utterly, unbearably crushed that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death so that we would rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He who rescued us from so deadly a peril will continue to rescue us; on him we have set our hope that he will rescue us again, as you also join in helping us by your prayers, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.
2 Corinthians 1:8-11
Three weeks ago, we got this:
Yesterday, we found out that our baby does not have a heartbeat.
Our hearts have been crushed to a million pieces, and the pain feels unbearable.
And so I'm writing this to ask for prayer.
Prayer unites us with the comfort of Jesus, the one well acquainted with grief, giving way to peace. Peace for ourselves, and peace for others. But it's something we can not do alone.
I do not understand why prayer did not make my baby live. But I do know that where suffering abounds, Jesus is present. And as my prayers feel as lifeless as the baby still buried deep inside me, I am asking for those with able hearts to pray for us.
And one day, we hope to do the same for you.
Oh my, I'm so sorry. Praying for you and Tom. My heart breaks for all that you've been through.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Amy.
ReplyDeleteWe love you guys so much and are so heartbroken for you. I hate that you have to endure so much heartache and pain through all of this, but we are still hoping for you even when hope seems so far out of reach. You've had and will continue to have our prayer and support. Love and prayers!!
ReplyDeleteRebecca, Christy and I grieved to receive this news. As ones who have lost as well in different circumstances, we have a sense of what you and Tom feel right now, and you are entirely right that Jesus is present. Even in grief, your heart attitude inspires me.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that helped me through losing Jordan was knowing that others were willing to pray for peace and comfort during the time of loss. I found great comfort when I read what Martin Luther shared with a friend when the Luthers' little daughter Magdalena died: "I believe the report has reached you that my dearest daughter Magdalena has been reborn into Christ's eternal kingdom. I and my wife should joyfully give thanks for such a felicitous departure and blessed end by which Magdalena escaped the power of the flesh...yet the force of our natural love is so great that we are unable to do this without crying and grieving in our hearts, or even without experiencing death ourselves. The features, the words and the movements of the living and dying daughter remain deeply engraved in our hearts. Even the death of Christ... is unable to take this all away as it should. So could you, therefore, give thanks to God in our stead?"
May you continue to know God's peace in spite of the circumstances, and may to walk each step knowing that the hand that holds you and Tom has a a nail hole through it.
Thanks for sharing this, Luke. And for sharing in our grief.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, friend. I love you!
ReplyDeleteRebecca, I am so sorry. Joel and I don't understand why this happened to you two, but we are standing with you in prayer.
ReplyDeleteLove you so, friend. Praying peace and hope over you.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Elise.
ReplyDeleteLove you so much, dear friend.
ReplyDeleteOh Becs, I'm so sorry. my heart breaks for you. We are praying for you and Tom.
ReplyDeleteSweet rebecca my heart grieves with you and Tom for your sweet baby. I pray The Lord gives you peace and comfort to your empty aching heart. A verse I was remembering I clung to during our trials was We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you. (Psalm 33:20-22 NIV). I am so sorry you are having to go through this journey. I know one thing The Lord meets us in our deepest sorrow. I would always sing that song beauty for ashes a garment of praise for my heaviness. We love you both dearly and of you need anything please don't hesitate to contact us. We are here for you!
ReplyDeleteRebecca, as I search for words to express our sadness upon hearing this news, they all fall short of anything worth offering to you and to Tom. Just know we are shaken and saddened, searching God for answers and submitting prayers on your behalf. We love you guys.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nikki. It helps so much to know others are grieving with us and praying for us. We love you guys, too.
ReplyDeleteOh Rebecca, my heart is so grieved with yours. I had rejoiced so
ReplyDeletewhen Carah shared with me your precious news of new life. I am praying
for you my friend and grieving with you, your great loss.
My mom has never been a writer of poetry, but God gave her these words to
put in a poem for me after I experienced a heart breaking miscarriage.
It was a great comfort to me, and in the years of empty arms that
followed, I would often look up to the stars at night and ask Jesus to
hold my sweet baby for me. God has given me beauty for ashes and has
wrapped those hard memories with beautiful cherished ones now and
brought healing to my wounded heart. But my cheeks are streamed with
tears as I pray for you now and the Lord touches that place in my heart
where I went through that great loss, that I might share in yours with
you now and find the words to pray.
With much love,
JoAnn Cheek
Oh, Precious Child, That You Should Know
To the Father through Jesus, I did go
Asking to be in His will, for I know
That the Father knows better than we what is right
For you, precious child, I petitioned God’s best
And He bid me for one more night
To be humbled in prayer with fasting
Your beautiful life, clothed in a body of clay
Into earthly arms God did not lay
He called you instead to but briefly touch us
And hastened you into His presence
It is His perfect will that you not be here with us
But, there in His presence, for time everlasting
Oh, Precious child that you should know
We shall nurture the blessings given us
Through your brief presence in our lives
Allow God to mature, bring fruitfulness
Through your life He will be glorified
If crowns be reward for blessing others
By a life which is yielded to God,
Many crowns you will have to lay at His feet
For through your life were many miracles begun
We did not have the privilege to nurture you
And hold you in our arms
For reasons known to God alone
At His discretion to disclose
He gives but glimpses of understanding
As the mysteries of your life unfold
Of His great love, His grace, His mercy
With words cannot be told
Not for our arms my precious child
You’re for His arms to hold
Though time may have us now apart
The day will come when we, like you
Will be with Him, perfected, complete
We will also be with you
So until He calls us to come
And we from this earth depart
We’ll hold you always, precious one
We’ll hold you in our heart
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